The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-08-27
IN EAR.AwAY ALASKA.
What Traveller Saw in That Country of
Rare and Rugged Beauty.

Alaska shows that it has been the seat
of another Government than our own.
The official buildings constructed by
the Russians are all far more imposing
than any thing our western towns OF
the north can boast. The castle is
finely situated, and, with the CUSTOM
house, barracks and Greek Church,
form an exceedingly picturesque group
very striking and pleasing after the
towns of clapboards, shaped like tents,
one passes on the way.
The Greek Church, with It's green
metallic dome and minaret-like spire,
was at once the object of general inter-
est and curiosity among the passengers
of the Pacific Company's good steam
ship Olympian. and they made haste
to get it opened that we might inspect
its novelties. The pictures were sur
prisingly good, and there were several
icons decorated with gold, and silver
and Jewels of Russian saints and Our
Lady of an unpronounceable name.
The curiosity-seekers throngcd the
stores in hopes of securing totem poles,
baskets, bracelets aud other articles of
Indian make. As it was Sunday many
were attracted TO the Presbyterian Mis-.
sion, which is large and HouriShing
establishment, with school Of 15C
children. They heard them sing hymns
and read the Scriptures in the English
language and translate into the Chinook
tongue for the benefit of their parents.
There is also 4 modest Catholic Chapel.
The priest is a Hollander, graduate Of
Louvain. evidently y scholar and n gen.
tlcman, but he SAYS the Greek Church
has won the hearts OF the Indians there
and he has not much TO do,
The ChinookS are indeed wonderful
looking tribe Of Indians to those who
know the redmen on the plains. They
all wear good coats and pNntal0ouS and
strong boots, They earn plenty Of
money TO buy store clothes, and the
women are gavin rcd and yellow hand
kerchiefS as head gear, while their
sacqueS are made Of briSht-eolored
cloth and Orusmeatsd with dozens Of
pearl buttons sswei on in patterns.
One WAS decorated with the outline of
a bear. which was probably the crest
of her family. The woman here is of
much importance in heredity, as man
belongs to the family of his mother,
be it beaver, fish or otter, and they are
very careful about their totems. The
next chief is always the Oldest son of
the present mans oldest sister.
When an Indian dies who has not
been member of a church his remains
arc crcmated. If he is no longer q
pagan, they are buried like Christians.
We saw funeral in Greek cemetery.
All the Indians gathered at the mans
house, bringing food of some sort
They then marched in procession tc
the grave, with the priest in grand
vestment at their head In the grave
they deposited the dead mans blankets
and many other of his effects; enough
to cause them to be robbed the nigh
following by the whites.
The harbor and situation of Sitka are
charming, The first is almost land
locked by more than twenty small
islands The last is high rolling
plain oncircled with foothills that dis
close through their openings foul
groups of snow-capped Alps, will
every form of Jagged and sharp-tootheC
outline, beautiful beyond description
The wooden houses of the Indians ar,
but one large room, with the fire burn
Ing in the middle, and directly over i
an opening for the smoke to g
through, There are glass wind ows ant
a high gallery around the four sides o
the room, upon which are the beds ant
where the women sit when they are no
cooking. Above the fire is an opel
wood framework, upon which is huns
the fish to dry and smoke for the win
ter's supply.
The Indians are fat, having Away
plenty to eat; they look strong an
healthy, but there is great deal G
sickness among them, and many die G
consumption and other diseases of civ
ilization. There is great need for
hospital at Sitka, and the white peopl
there are all hoping that the Govern
ment will do something in that direC
ton. Spain did many handsome thing
for her colonies, but England was eco
nomical in that way, and we follow he
example.
The gold mines are taking popul'
ton to Alaska, before whom the Ii
dams will rapidly disappear. An en-
ploye of the Hudson Bay Compan
who had for years been in the mort
country told me he disapproved of ii
education of girls at the mission. The
kaka them pntiralv avvav from th q